A/N: Hello all! This is my first fanfic publication on this site! I have always loved the Sango/Miroku relationship in Inuyasha and had been playing with this idea for a while now. Please note I do NOT own any rights to Inuyasha the show, manga, characters, or anything else you can think of. That all belongs to the original creators. Not me. Rated M for violence, language, and probably lemons.

"I wish you happiness, Sango"

Sango jolts awake as Miroku's whispered words consumes her mind. She sighs, laying back on her futon, and pulling the covers up to her chin. It had been a year since he said them, but it was those words that drove her to where she is today. Today, she is Lord Takeda's wife. It was those words that chased her away from her group and into the solid arms of Kuranosuke. She abandoned her quest, and even Kohaku because she sought sanctuary. With another sigh, she rolls out of bed and slips into a silk kimono carefully embroidered with beautiful birds. It wasn't anything she'd normally wear, but her green and pink kimono was replaced long ago with silk kimonos that marked her new title. She hates them.

The full moon glows brightly over the castle walls as Sango wanders through the garden, basking in the moonlight with an attendant silently following her. As the lord's wife, she is an asset and therefore she is never alone. It has been a year since she picked Kuranosuke over her friends, and she still wonders why. She had a good life travelling with Inuyasha and the others. For once, she had friends, not just fellow soldiers. They all treated her with respect. Even the bottom-groping, womanizer, Miroku.

His violet eyes flash in her mind, and she bites back a sigh, leaning heavily against the bridge as she stares into the water below. She used to like Miroku, yet his philandering ways drove her insane. Is that why she agreed to stay with Kuranosuke? Because she knew that no matter what, the lord would always love her, and she can hide in his stability? She ran away from her emotions, unable to face losing Kohaku to Naraku, and her heart to Miroku who had a quick approaching expiration date. Seeing his blood on her hand after the bear spirit attacked him only solidified that point in her mind. Miroku would die sooner than Kuranosuke…did she run away to escape from even more grief?

She can't help the guilt that builds inside her heart at her own cowardice. She always believed she was a strong woman, and yet at the first sign of stability—of happiness—she escaped from her pain. Kuranosuke promised stability and comfort that was highly appealing at first, but now she regrets it. There was a freedom of travelling with the others, respect amongst her group, and honor in fighting demons. That was what she was raised to do. Kuranosuke won't let Sango fight demons or even train the soldiers in the art of demon-slaying. He has her keep house, performing wifely duties and keeping him company. At first, he was sweet but now…

"My lady, it is late. You need to head inside now," her attendant says, breaking Sango's trance on the river and the kind violet eyes that haunt her every thought.

"Of course…let us go in," Sango mumbles, leading the way inside as her sandals slap quietly on the wooden porch. The first thing Kuranosuke did was lock up Sango's armor and murder Kilala. Her heart twisted in her chest as she remembers the violent description he gave her of drowning Kilala in the river, and if she disobeyed she too would end up at the bottom. Grief and guilt whirled through her as she enters the castle and hurries to her own personal chambers. She is glad that she has the peace of living in her own wing, visiting Kuranosuke only when summoned. Her time alone allowed her to grieve.

She slips the rice paper door open and freezes. On her futon sits Kuranosuke, his fingers clenched in white knuckled fists on his knees and his jaw tight with fury. This uncontrollable rage appeared two months after they married. At first, Sango thought it was a demon possession, but there is no demonic aura, and he never kills her. Demons always kill their victims…

"Where were you?" Kuranosuke growls.

"In the garden," she quickly replies, not wanting to fight with him. She learned two things early on: this Runny-Nose lord is much stronger than he appears to be, and giving into his fury makes her life so much easier. She fought him at first, but her body was covered in scars and bruises from his rage.

"Why? Were you waiting for someone?" he snaps, and she sighs. Great. A jealous night…

"No, my lord. I was just enjoying the fresh air," she calmly says, hesitantly stepping closer to him, hoping her words can soothe him tonight, "You are my only love, dear husband," she adds. In seconds, he is on his feet, his hands pulling her long black hair back, so her face is forced up to his. He towers over her, his breath reeking of sake and hatred. Sango idly thinks on the lord's father who went insane after the demon bear attacked his castle and wonders if Kuranosuke, too, has become mad.

"Prove it," Kuranosuke hisses, hurling her towards her futon. She clamps down on the urge to flee, the urge to fight, and the urge to scream as he unties her kimono, tosses it to the side, and pulls her to him. Instead, she just goes numb. She learned that early on too, so that the weight of his body, the pressure inside of her, and even his fists do not bother her any more.

"You. Are. Mine," Kuranosuke repeats as he thrusts into her, wrapping his hands tightly around her neck until black spots consume her vision. Her nails dig into his hands, and right before she faints, he releases her, laughing cruelly as she coughs and gasps for air.

This is my punishment, she bitterly thinks as Kuranosuke uses her like an object. Her mind tumbles into a cold, numb abyss that consumes her heart, I left Kohaku in the grips of Naraku for this. I left Miroku and the others…just for this. This is my punishment. Her mind laments as the image of Miroku's sad, but understanding, gaze flashes before her eyes. He was so upset when she decided to stay, yet he didn't fight for her. He just let her go because she deserved happiness. Her sanctuary became her purgatory…and there is nothing Sango can do to change it.

Kuranosuke finishes, shoving off of her as he storms out without another word. Good. She didn't want to hear his comments about how well she takes a hit, or how perfect her body is for him. Her whole life is only for his pleasure. She doesn't matter anymore. The only thing she is grateful for is his impotence. She hasn't become pregnant from his sex, though she has helped that along with lots of hot water and herbal baths. A child would force her to stay in this castle forever. She would never be free…

"You aren't free now…" she quietly reminds herself as she pulls the blankets over her body, slowly falling asleep with the moon glowing through the paper doors, and a set of violet eyes waiting for her in her dreams.

…

Miroku jolts awake, his brow heavy with sweat as he tightly grips his staff. His back aches as he leans away from the tree, sighing when he realizes he is in the forest at his campsite and not in that blasted castle. Every night for 14 months, he has dreamed of the Takeda castle where they left Sango. He knew he couldn't convince her to stay with them—with him—and yet he hasn't been able to accept her decision. Something about Lord Takeda bothered him, and that feeling went beyond jealousy. He was suspicious of the lord, but if that was what Sango wanted…

Miroku sighed again, thunking his head against the tree before Kilala mews up at him from his lap. He pets her absently, relishing in her soft fur as his thoughts go back to Sango. It has been over a year…what will she be like now? Inuyasha scoffs in the tree above him, and Miroku looks up, surprised the demon is even awake at this hour.

"Should we go to the castle to appease your curiosity?" Inuyasha grumbles and Miroku jumps, startled the dense and egocentric Inuyasha would even suggest such a thing. Kagome rolls over in her sleep bag and grins at him.

"I think it would be a great idea. We are out here anyways," she quips optimistically. As much as he wants to see Sango, he isn't sure if it is a good idea to stir up the past.

"She has made her decision. I am happy for her no matter what," Miroku says and this time Kagome is the one to let out a very unlady-like scoff.

"Liar," she grumbles, rolling over in her sleeping bag again.

"I want to see Sango," Shippo pitches in, "And I am sure Kilala does too!" The demon cat in question happily mews at the thought of seeing her mistress again.

"Fine…it looks like I am outnumbered here," Miroku mumbles.

"Keh. You know we are doing this for you," Inuyasha says before shutting his gleaming golden eyes. Miroku sighs and stares down at Kilala, wondering if it really is a good idea for them to go to the Takeda Castle once more…

...